Printing plate grooving machine



Dec. 15, H M RB PRINTING 'PLATE GROOVING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1941 .3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l IINVENTOR. .%-W$ m BY v Dec. 15, 1942. H. M. BARBER PRINTING PLATE GROOVING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1941 SSheets-Shget '2" IN V EN TOR.

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Dec. 15, 1942. H, M BA BER 2,305,338

PRINTING PLATE GROOVING MACHINE Filed Nov. 13, 1941 3 ShetS-Shet 3 7%,, Z my BY Y Y Patented Dec. 15, 1942 PRINTING PLATE GROOVING MACHINE Howard M. Barber, Pawcatuck, Conn, assignor to C. B. Cottre'll & Sons Company, Westerly, R. I., a corporation of Delaware Application November 13, 1941, Serial No. 418,942

19 Claims.

This invention is directed to a novel machine for cutting combined registry and holding grooves across the backs of curved printing plates in predetermined positions with respect to the center registry marks on the plates so that the said plate grooves will be complementary to one or more of the grooves out along the form cylinder at equal distances apart around the same, parallel to the axis of the form cylinder; thus permitting keys to be inserted into the complementary plate and cylinder grooves for registering the plates on the cylinder and holding the plates against movement around the cylinder clue to the crowd on the plates under printing pressures.

This cutting of the combined registry and holding grooves across the backs of the plates at different distances from their registry marks is essential because in sheet feed presses different size sheets and different design spacings are used which would render it impossible to cut the combined registry and holding grooves at the same place in the backs of all of the printing plates where the complementary grooves, cut lengthwise of the cylinder, are equally spaced around the same to accommodate plates of different sizes in the form.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 represents a top plan view of the machine with a printing plate clamped in registry thereon;

Fig. 2 represents a detail side view of the machine;

Fig. 3 represents a detail end view of the machine, the registry unit being shown in one position in full lines and in a second position in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 represents a detail cross section taken in the plane of the line IVIV of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the printing plate clamp being shown closed in full lines and in an open position in dotted lines;

Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent a printing plate in end, back, side, and front elevations;

Fig. 9 represents on a considerably enlarged scale a portion of a cylinder with imposed printing plates arranged in rows lengthwise and circumferentially thereof; I

Fig. 10 represents a longitudinal section taken in the plane of the line XX of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 11 represents a cross section taken in the plane of the line XIXI of Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The form cylinder I, illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, is shown as having the usual annular series of spiral grooves 2. The cylinder is also shown as having an annular series of equally spaced grooves 3 extending lengthwise of the cylinder, parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder. The usual plate clamps 4 are adjustable in the spiral grooves 2 into positions to secure the curved beveled edges of the plate to the cylinder.

Each of these printing plates 5 has a groove 6 cut across its back parallel to the straight cylinder grooves 3. The faces of the plates at their curved edges are also provided with registry marks I midway between their straight edges. Keys 8 are shown as engaging complementary cylinder and plate grooves 3 and 6 respectively for registering the plates on the cylinder and also for holding the plates against movement around the cylinder. It will be understood that the grooves 6 in the backs of each of the lengthwise rows of plates will be in alinement but that the grooves 6 in one lengthwise row of plates may be in a different position in the backs of the plates from another lengthwise row of plates. This is due to the equal spacing of the parallel grooves 3 in the cylinder.

The machine for cutting the grooves across the backs of the curved printing plates in predetermined relationship to the registry marks on the faces of the plates is constructed, arranged and operated as follows:

A hollow saddle 9 is slidable along a hollow base l0, which saddle has a curved top surface corresponding to the backs of the curved print ing plates 5. A handle Il may be provided on one of the ends of the saddle 9 for manipulating it. The crown of the saddle is provided with a slot l2 extending lengthwise thereof.

A circular saw I3 is fixed to a cross shaft l4 rotatably mounted in a bracket i5 fixed to the top of the hollow base H], which cross shaft 14 is provided with a pulley I6 driven by a belt I! from a pulley I 8 on the shaft is of a motor 20 mounted on a bracket 21 fixed to the outside of the hollow base Ii]. This circular saw I3 projects through the elongated slot 12 into position to cut the combined registry and holding grooves 6 across the backs of the printing plates 5. The means for clamping the printing plates 5 in the desired position on the saddle 9 may be constructed, arranged and operated as follows:

A plate clamping lever 22 is pivoted at 23 in a bracket 24 fixed to one side of the saddle 9.

This clamping lever is preferably provided with a yielding pad in position to contact the exposed printing face of the plate 5 when positioned on the saddle 9. This clamping lever has an arm 26 provided with an abutment 21 which serves to engage the bracket 24 and act as a stop to limit the opening movement of the clamping lever 22.

The free end of the plate clamping lever 22 is removably engaged by a toggle eccentric comprising a handle 28 having an eccentric portion 29 for engaging a plate 30 on the clamping lever 22. This handle is pivoted to one end of a toggle link 3|, the other end of which link is pivoted at 32 to lugs 33 on the side of the saddle opposite the bracket 24. This eccentric portion 29 ofthe handle 28 permits the clamping lever 22 to be brought down with considerable pressure on the face of the curved plate 5 to prevent its being displaced while the combined registry and holding groove 8 is cut across its back.

The means which I have shown for registering the printing plates on the saddle so that the combined registry and holding groove 6 may be cut in the backs of the plates along lines bearing predetermined relationships to their plate registry marks 1, comprises the following elements:

A longitudinally disposed rock shaft 34 is shown as mounted at its ends in the base III. A fixed bracket 35 is secured to the end of the base ID as by a bolt 36, which bracket is provided with a segment 37 concentric to the axis of the rock shaft 34. A registry'arm 3B which is fixed to the rock shaft 34 is provided with a pointer 39 which overlaps the graduated scale on the segment 31 and is adjustable along the scale by the rotary movement of the shaft. This registry arm 38 and its pointer 39 may be adjusted with respect to the graduated scale on the segment 31 of the bracket 35 and clamped in its adjustment by providing the arm 33 with an elongated groove 40 concentric with the axis of the rock shaft 34, through which groove a screw bolt 4| projects from the bracket 35 and carries a wing nut 42. A second registry arm 43 is also fixed at its lower end to the rock shaft 34 and it is shaped to partially embrace the saddle and overlap one of the curved edges of an imposed printing plate 5. The upper end of this registry arm 43 is provided with a telescope 44 having the usual crossed hairs which are to be used in connection with a registry mark on the ends of a curved plate for preferably positioning the plate on the saddle to insure the cutting of the groove 6 across the back of the plate in the desired relationship with respect to the said registry mark on the plate.

It will be understood that the surface of the saddle 9 is concentric with the axis of the rock shaft 34 and that it has the same curve as the back of the plate 5, and also that the scale face of the segment 31 has the same curve as the printing face of the said plate 5.

In operation, the registry unit is first manipulated for registering the printing plates which are to form the first lengthwise row of plates on the form cylinder. This is done by releasing the wing nut 42 and swinging the registry arm 38 to bring its pointer 39 over the desired mark of the graduated scale on the segment 31 of the bracket 35. The wing nut 42 is then tightened to hold the pointer in its adjusted position along the scale. The swinging movement of the first registry arm 38 will rock the shaft 34 and thereby swing the second registry arm 43 to bring its telescope to the desired registry position over the Saddle 9. 'The first printing plate is then positioned on the saddle 9 to bring its center mark I in registry with the cross hairs of the telescope 44. When the plate has been so adjusted it is securely clamped to the saddle by the coaction of the lever arm 22 and its handle 28.

The saddle 9 with its imposed plate may then be moved forwardly along the base as, for instance, by the handle H on the saddle to cause the circular saw I3 to cut the combined registry and holding groove across the plate. The plate may then be released and removed and the operation repeated upon the succeeding plates of the lengthwise row without readjusting the registry unit.

To register the plates of the next succeeding lengthwise row it may be necessary to release the first registry arm 38 from the bracket 35. The arm 38 may then be swung to bring its pointer 39 over the desired mark of the scale on the segment 37 of the bracket 35 and then clamped in its adjustment. This movement of the first registry arm 38 will move the second registry arm 43 to bring its telescope 44 into a new registry position over the saddle 9.

It will be understood thatthe movement required would be the difference between the center distance from the first row of plates to the second row of plates and the corresponding distance between the lengthwise grooves 3 in the form cylinder l.

It will also be understood that th handling of these plates for the next succeeding lengthwise row would be the same as that described for the preceding row of plates.

It will also be observed that the plates of each lengthwise row will have their combined registry and holding grooves cut in position to bring the grooves into complementary positions with respect to a lengthwise groove 3 in the form cylinder, said grooves in the several rows of plates being spaced apart the same distance as the lengthwise grooves 3 in the cylinder.

This arrangement permits plates of different sizes and design spacings to be clamped in register on a form cylinder having its lengthwise grooves 3 equally spaced apart around the same.

It is evident that various changes may be resorted to in the, construction, form and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not intend to be limited to the particular embodiment'herein shown and described.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, means movable independently of the plate to different registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate on the saddle, and means for cutting a groove across the back of the plate.

2. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, means movable independently of the plate to different registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate on the saddle, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable independently of the registering means to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device.

3. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device movable independently of the plate to difiere ent registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate on the saddle, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base indee pendently of the plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with th plate grooving device. I

4. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device movable independently of the plate to different registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate on th saddle, means for clamping the plate to the saddle inits registered position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base independently of the plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device.

5. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device movable independently of the plate to different registry positions over the saddle for predetermim'ng the position of the plate on the saddle, means for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base independently of the plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device.

6. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device movable independently of the plate to different registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate on the saddle, means for clamping the plate to the saddle in its registered position, separate means for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base independently of the plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device.

7. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device having an element movable over the saddle independently of the plate to different registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate thereon, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base independently of the plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the said grooving device.

8. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device having an element movable over the saddle independently of the plate to different registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate thereon, means for clamping the plate to the saddle in its registered position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base independently of the plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device.

9. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device having an element movable over the saddle independently of the plate to difierent registry positions over the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate thereon, means for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base independently of the'plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device.

10. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a plate registering device having an element movable over the saddle independently of 'the plate to different registry positionsover the saddle for predetermining the position of the plate thereon, means for clamping the plate to the saddle in its registered position, separate means for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base independently of the plate registering device to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the said grooving device.

11. In combination, a base, a printing plate mountingsaddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device having one element movable over the scale and another element movable over the saddle, to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the said grooving device.

12. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device having one element movable over the scale and another element movable over the saddle to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, means for clamping the plate to the saddle in its registered position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the said grooving device.

13. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device having one element movable over the scale and another element movable over the saddle, to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, mean for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the said grooving device.

14. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device having one element movable over the scale and another element movable over the saddle, to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, means for clamping the plate to the saddle in its registered position, means for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position, and a plate grooving device, said saddle With its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement With the said grooving device.

15. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device carried by the base and movable to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, and a plate grooving device carried by the base, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device, said plate registering device having two simultaneously movable registry arms, one provided with a pointer for coaction with the scale and the other provided with a telescope for coaction with a registry mark on the printing plate.

16. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device carried by the base and movable to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, a plate grooving device carried by the base, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device, said plate registering device having two simultaneously movable registry arms, one provided with a pointer for coaction with the scale and the other provided with a telescope for coaction with a registry mark on the printing plate, and means carried by the saddle for clamping the plate thereto in its registered position.

17. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device carried by the base and movable to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, a plate grooving device carried by the base, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device, said plate registering device having two simultaneously movable registry arms, one provided with a pointer for coaction with the scale and the other provided with a telescope for coaction with a registry mark on the printing plate, and means for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position.

18. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon, a graduated scale fixed to the base, a plate registering device carried by the base and movable to predetermine the position of the plate on the saddle, a plate grooving device carried by the base, said saddle with its imposed plate being movable along the base to bring the back of the plate into engagement with the plate grooving device, said plate registering device having two simultaneously movable registry arms, one provided with a pointer for coaction with the scale and the other provided with a telescope for coaction with a registry mark on the printing plate, means carried by the saddle for clamping the plate thereto in its registered position, and means for securing the plate registering device in its adjusted position.

19. In combination, a base, a printing plate mounting saddle thereon having a longitudinally disposed slot, a plate registering device carried by the base and movable independently of the plate to difierent positions over the saddle to coact with a registry mark on the plate to position the plate on the saddle, and a circular saw carried by the base and projecting through said slot in the saddle, said saddle being movable along the base to bring the plate into engagement with the saw for cutting a groove across the back of the plate.

HOWARD M. BARBER. 

